Miley Cyrus says she will channel her grief into music as she mourns her godmother and country music icon Dolly Parton.
Miley Cyrus has paid an emotional tribute to her godmother, country music legend Dolly Parton, following her death at the age of 80.
Cyrus broke her silence a day after Parton’s death was announced on Tuesday, August 25, sharing a heartfelt message on Instagram about the loss of the woman she regarded as both family and a lifelong musical influence.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” the 33-year-old singer wrote.
Cyrus said some of her most meaningful memories with Parton were private and would remain that way.
“Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts,” she wrote.
Cyrus plans to honour Parton through music
The Flowers singer said she intended to process her grief in a way she believes Parton would have wanted — through music.
“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong,” Cyrus said.
She added that she felt she had “an angel” by her side and recalled that one of their final conversations centred on music and “metamorphosis”.
The Grammy-winning singer also promised to continue working to make her godmother proud.
“I will always love her and want to make her proud,” Cyrus wrote.
She acknowledged the grief being felt by Parton’s family, friends and millions of admirers around the world, saying people were united in mourning.
“We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things,” Cyrus said.
Dolly Parton dies at 80
Parton died at the age of 80 after what her representatives described to People magazine as a brief battle with cancer.
She had been admitted to a Nashville hospital four days before her death after experiencing kidney and autoimmune issues.
Parton’s death marks the loss of one of country music’s most influential figures, whose career spanned decades and reached audiences far beyond the genre.
For Cyrus, however, the loss is deeply personal. As Parton’s goddaughter, she shared a close relationship with the country icon and has frequently spoken about Parton’s influence on her life and music.
Cyrus now plans to turn her grief into a musical tribute, carrying forward the creative connection she shared with Parton and honouring a woman who played a lasting role in her personal and artistic journey.